Release Detail

August 3, 2005 - Only Giuliani Can Beat Spitzer For New York Gov,
Quinnipiac University Poll Finds;
Sen. Clinton Tops Pataki As State's Presidential Choice

If he decided to run for New York State Governor next year, former New York City Mayor
Rudolph Giuliani would top State Attorney General Eliot Spitzer 49 - 42 percent, the only
one of several high visibility Republican names to top the likely Democratic candidate,
according to a Quinnipiac University poll released today.

Spitzer has gained ground since trailing Giuliani 59 - 34 percent in an April 14,
2004 poll by the independent Quinnipiac (KWIN-uh-pe-ack) University.

In other hypothetical matchups:

Spitzer beating New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg 51 - 34 percent, with a
50 - 38 percent lead among New York City voters;

"We list three celebrities: Mayors Giuliani and Bloomberg and District Attorney
Pirro; one carpetbagger, Gov. Weld, and one prodigal, Tom Golisano. Spitzer trounces
every one of them - except the top celebrity, America's Mayor, Rudy Giuliani," said
Maurice Carroll, Director of the Quinnipiac University Polling Institute.

"Bloomberg says he won't run for Governor and New Yorkers think he's right.
Golisano spent $70 million to run third last time and he's out of the money this time. Pirro
says she'll run for some state job, but Governor looks like a real long shot."

Looking at Clinton's presidential prospects, 56 percent of New York State voters
say she will run for President in 2008, and 24 percent say they "definitely" will vote for
her, with 27 percent who say they "probably" will vote for her.

But voters say 60 - 30 percent that Clinton should pledge to serve the full six-year
term if she runs for reelection to the Senate in 2006, blocking a 2008 presidential bid.

"Clinton-for-President isn't a cakewalk in New York. Two-to-one, voters think she
should promise to serve the whole six years if she runs for re-election in 2006. And she'd
get only a bare majority for President in her new home state," Carroll said.

Sen. Charles Schumer has a 63 - 21 percent approval rating.

Gov. George Pataki gets a 49 - 38 percent approval rating, his best in a year and up
from a negative 36 - 47 percent approval rating in a May 4 Quinnipiac University poll.

Voters say 55 - 32 percent that his three terms as Governor have been a success.

But only 5 percent of New York State voters say they would "definitely" vote for
Pataki for President, with 23 percent who say they "probably" would vote for Pataki.

If Pataki is the Republican vice presidential candidate in 2008, 17 percent of New
Yorkers say they are more likely to vote for the GOP ticket, with 23 percent who are less
likely and 55 percent who say it won't make a difference.

"New Yorkers sort of like their lame duck Governor. Pataki's job approval is up
and, looking over his three terms, most voters think he's been a success. He even gets a
split among Democrats," Carroll said. "But Pataki-for-President is a non-starter in his
deep-blue home state."

From July 27 - August 1, Quinnipiac University surveyed 1,498 New York State
registered voters with a margin of error of +/- 2.5 percentage points.
The Quinnipiac University Poll, directed by Douglas Schwartz, Ph.D., conducts
public opinion surveys in New York, New Jersey, Connecticut, Pennsylvania, Florida and
nationwide as a public service and for research.

For additional data -- www.quinnipiac.edu or call (203) 582-5201

1. Do you approve or disapprove of the way George Pataki is handling his job as
Governor?

14. If Hillary Rodham Clinton were to run for President in 2008, how likely
is it that you would vote for her? Do you think you would definitely vote for
her, probably vote for her, probably not vote for her, or definitely not vote
for her?

20. If George Pataki were to run for President in 2008, how likely is it that
you would vote for him? Do you think you would definitely vote for him, probably
vote for him, probably not vote for him, or definitely not vote for him?